COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is geared toward practicing design and construction engineers who routinely deal with soil and foundation problems but have little theoretical background in soil mechanics or foundation engineering. The course takes a project-oriented approach whereby the soils input to a bridge project is followed from conception to completion. In each phase of the project, the soil concepts will be developed into specific foundation designs and recommendations. The classroom presentation includes a variety of exercises to verify achievement of learning objectives. Each participant will take away a comprehensive reference manual on soils and foundations and a participant workbook containing a copy of all slides presented and completed exercises.

OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Identifying the minimum level of geotechnical input in various project phases of a highway project

Recalling the equipment and procedures used to implement a subsurface investigation of soil and rock conditions

Demonstrating basic skills in visual description of soils native to the host state

Recalling geotechnical facilities and personnel in the host state

Recalling the basic soil test procedures and how the results of the various soil tests are applied results to highway projects

Listing procedures used for both settlement and stability analysis, and recalling design solutions to stability and settlement problems for approach roadway embankments

Listing procedures used for determining bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations such as spread footings

Identifying the basic skills needed in the design and construction management of driven pile and drilled shaft foundations

Recalling the basic skills needed in the design and construction of earth retaining structures

Discussing the format and minimum content of an adequate foundation report

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Personnel from the following units at the transportation agency could benefit from this workshop: geotechnical, bridge design, roadway design, materials, construction, and maintenance. The personnel who will benefit the most are the first-line supervisors involved in the design of highway structures and embankments. The greatest impact will be achieved by convincing structural, design, and construction engineers to use procedures from this course as a guide for routine geotechnical work. All attendees should be encouraged to attend the entire course, not just sections that are in their specialty. One of the major benefits of this course is to give engineers an appreciation of activities outside their specialties that influence, or are influenced by, the work of the geotechnical engineer.

The National Highway Institute (NHI) has been accredited as an Authorized Provider
by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
In obtaining this accreditation, NHI has demonstrated that it complies with the
ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice.
As a result of their Authorized Provider status, NHI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs
for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.